A renowned musician who set up one of the world’s leading jazz labels will be showcasing the artists he has cultivated at a three-day festival next week.
American Michael Janisch, 34, who has lived in West Ewell with his wife and children for five years, set up his record label, Whirlwind Recordings, in 2010.
The freelance jazz bassist, who was a visiting professor at the Royal Academy and gives master-classes around the world, created the critically-acclaimed label to release "my own music on my own terms", but has since signed 35 different artists, ranging from jazz legends to undiscovered talent.
And next week, 18 bands and 86 of his musicians will come together in the first Whirlwind Festival in central London.
Mr Janisch said: "In the last 10 years I’ve focused on jazz. I stopped saying yes to everyone and that came with its own consequences.
"But in three years the record label has taken off incredibly fast, and the real meat and potatoes of it is in producing music."
The profit-sharing model of the record label means that the artists and the label both invest in the music, but once the label has recouped its investments through sales, the musician owns the remaining stock - with further profits from this being split according to the percentage the parties originally invested.
By the end of the year, the record label will have released more than 30 albums, including those of American drummer Jeff Williams and saxophone legend Lee Knoitz, as well as rising Scottish star Rachel Cohen.
Mr Janisch said his love of jazz lies in its improvised nature.
He said: "By nature, I am an improviser. This is my religion. It’s how I connect to the universe, it’s a fix and it’s fun.
"I still get the most joy out of picking up my bass and playing it."
The renowned musician said he has played gigs at the White Horse pub, in Dorking Road, Epsom, and would like to return to entertain audiences at the Epsom Playhouse.
The Whirlwind Festival will take place from October 10 to 12 at Kings Place in London. For more information visit www.kingsplace.co.uk
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